BERTHING PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 43, 20 February 1940, Page 8

BERTHING PLANS.

ON THE CITY SIDE. CENTRAL WHARF RESERVED. 4 HARBOUR BOARD PREPARES, i When H.M.S. Achilles returns to her base in Auckland this week, «he will berth on the city side of the Waitemata Harbour, as the Auckland Harbour Board has reserved the western side of Central \vharf for her. At the time of berthing, the wharf will not be thrown open to the public, but provision is being made for the admission by ticket of next-of-kin of the officers and men Of the vessel. These facts were mentioned this morning by the chairman of the board, Mr. W. B. Darlow, when asked the board's plans in connection with the reception to the complement of the Achilles. Mr. Darlow added that it would not be possible to accommodate members of the general public on Central wharf, but every facility would be placed in the way of relatives of the men to be the first to welcome them on their triumphant return to their base. Owing to the shortness of the notice of the return of the Achilles, it had not yet been possible to finalise the board's arrangements, but at the moment it was not intended that the board should hold an official reception to the crew's complement at Central wharf. The occasion would be one for family reunions and e atmosphere would not be suitable, it was considered, for such a function. The board, however, would participate in the civic reception which was to be held in the Town Hall. He eaid the board had undertaken to provide a buffet luncheon in the Central wharf sheds for about 2500 Bailors and others, and, furthermore, in an effort to make the Achilles' homecoming as fine a spectacle as possible, it had requested every shipping company to have its ships dressed for the occasion. There was no doubt that the response in this connection would be 100 per cent. Generally speaking this would be a great day for Auckland and New Zealand, and everything possible would be done by the board to contribute its share to tiie appropriate ceremonies and the general rejoicing of the occasion.